Deadline Announced for Private Hajj Pilgrims to Select and Pay for Packages

Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has set November 20 as the deadline for prospective pilgrims to select and pay for Hajj packages under the private scheme for 2027. The ministry said it has the authority to reallocate the private Hajj quota if operators fail to secure the allocated places by the deadline.

The deadline marks the first such requirement under Pakistan’s new four-year Hajj policy, which the federal cabinet approved in July for the 2027 to 2030 seasons. The policy replaces the previous system of issuing a separate framework each year.

Saudi Arabia has allocated 179,210 Hajj places to Pakistan for 2027. The government scheme will receive 107,526 places, while private operators will receive 71,684.

MoRA advised private pilgrims to select packages and make payments only through the official Hajj portal or Pak Hajj app. The ministry said it would not accept responsibility for losses resulting from payments made directly to individuals or companies.

Authorities have finalized 16 basic private Hajj packages, with prices ranging from Rs. 1.4 million to Rs. 3.75 million. Most Hajj companies have uploaded their packages to the digital portal, and bookings have increased. The private scheme also offers shorter stays, direct flights from outside Pakistan and five-star hotel options.

The ministry has tightened oversight of private Hajj operators since 2025, when missed Saudi payment and service agreement deadlines reduced Pakistan’s private quota from 89,801 to just over 25,000 places, leaving more than 67,000 intending pilgrims unable to travel.

Meanwhile, more than 13,000 pilgrims have deposited Rs. 8.7 billion under the government Hajj scheme for 2027, according to MoRA.